Dirt-Cheap Duty Free: The Best Finds from Airports Around the Globe

These nine bargains, on everything from booze to watches to obscure African hors d'oeuvres, make a world traveler's trip home easier on the wallet.

Exchange rates come and go, and the recession seems to never end. But these nine bargains, on everything from booze to watches to obscure African hors d'oeuvres, make a world traveler's trip home a little easier to stomach — and certainly easier on the wallet.

1 of 9

Chanel No. 5

The Airport: Hong Kong International
The Deal: $62 (Approximate Savings: $25)
HKG is known for its plethora of bargains before boarding, meaning its stock doesn't stay on shelves for long. That's good news for those claiming airport shops are the dumping grounds for old perfume bottles that have lost their scent. Chanel No. 5 is also the yardstick of duty-free pricing, so most of this mini-industry will mark it down to lure you into stuffing the carry-on with more expensive junk. And while chances are this classic fragrance is cheaper with an in-flight purchase, who really wants to be caught buying Chanel No. 5 on an airplane?

2 of 9

Laphroaig Scotch Malt Whisky

The Airport: Philip S. W. Goldson (Belize City)
The Deal: $18 (Approximate Savings: $47)
True, plenty of Scotch aficionados liken Laphroaig's flavor to motor oil, but some of us like a charred blue peat smoke every now and then. And any Scottish stuff you can get this strong for this cheap is worth it, even with all the $10 rums and tequilas on the bargain-packed shelves at BZE. Drink now, thank Belize's ex-pat population for this bizarre import later.

3 of 9

Hédiard Goose Foie Gras

The Airport: Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
The Deal: $25 (Approximate Savings: $35)
Lush Terminal 2E is still the newest jewel in the CDG crown, but France's massive hub is making room for another expansion in the next few years. What recession, you say? When merchandise doesn't move, prices go down, so Hédiard — the word "sale" does not translate well to this brand — may be forced to slash. While you're at it, buy up some rare preserves like the watermelon-geranium, jasmine, violet, or orange blossom jams. And we're serious about the watermelon-geranium thing.

4 of 9

Tiger Balm

The Airport: Changi (Singapore)
The Deal: $2-$20 (Approximate Savings: $6-$45)
So strong it's available by prescription only in Germany, Tiger Balm should be in every man's DOP kit. Originally developed by Burmese herbalist Aw Chu Kin, the iconic sports rub is now manufactured in Singapore and sold in various tins, tubes, and tubs you never imagined existed (Extra Strength Tiger Balm Red should be banned by Major League Baseball it's so good). In addition to the red, white, and soft formulas, you can also score hard-to-find TB products like patches, plasters, liniments, bug sprays, and neck-and-shoulder rub creams — the non-greasy kind.

5 of 9

Tag Heuer Watch

The Airport: Dubai International
The Deal: $1,000 (Approximate Savings: $1,495)
Honkers is a close second, but DXB offers the holy grail of holy-shit bargains with the double barrel of duty- and tax-free items. Still, avoid the barrel shape itself — if you're going to take advantage and splurge for a high-end chronograph, do your research and opt for a classic silver matte finish with a white dial. Prices here can dip closer toward $500 for older models as they make way for flashy new designs, which, again, you should avoid like the pizza at the bar next door.

6 of 9

Lacoste Shirt

The Airport: Tocumen (Panama City)
The Deal: $35-$75 (Approximate Savings: $45-$70)
Your grandfather'll talk your ear off about the Panama hat he got for five bucks here in the '60s, but it'll cost you that much for a copy of In Touch these days at this legendary hall of bargains. And that's not to speak of the mob scenes at Tocumen's five electronics stores and four alcohol and perfume shops. They all offer decent deals, but the authorized Lacoste dealer has the best value, with sample-sale-level prices on the entire line of alligator festooned sportswear. Prices so cheap, your collar might pop itself.

7 of 9

Neuhaus Chocolates

The Airport: Bruxelles-National (Brussels)
The Deal: $15 (Approximate Savings: $12)
Sure, you could loot some fancy single-origin cacao in Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela — and should if you've managed to avoid kidnapping there. But this Belgium way station has an old-school Willy Wonka vibe, and a chocolate selection that can't be beat. MPs and diplomats will raid the stacks of truffles and tables full of foiled cordials en route home to the kiddies, but time your trip when they're out of session, and Neuhaus — a creamy confection perfected for 150-plus years — will get a mouth-watering mark-down.

8 of 9

Moment In Time Pâté

The Airport: OR Tambo International (Johannesburg)
The Deal: $3/tin (Approximate Savings: $11)
Okay, maybe you can't pull off hunting wild animals in Africa with Hemingway cool or within humane-society rule, but spreading them all (crocodile, ostrich, springbok, impala, and kudu pâté) on a cracker is a way to prove you're an adventurous gentleman, or at least one who likes him some wild game. The South African Rand plummeted last year, sending OR Tambo's terminal clerks into a frenzy of signage and price change on its pith helmets, biltong, Stellenbosch wines, and Amarula.

9 of 9

Flor de Caña Rum 7-years

The Airport: Managua International (Nicaragua)
The Deal: $9 (Approximate Savings: $14)
Unlike many of the goods herein, this 116-year-old rum is cheaper in its home country than anywhere else. And unlike other rums of the moment, Flor de Caña is additive-free, slow-aged, and never blended. And it's kosher!

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